Kids of Africa Run Turns Spotlight on Gender-Based Violence
By Kayiira Jackson
The Kids of Africa Run will return for its 14th edition on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with this year’s event focusing on the fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Uganda.
The annual charity run will be held at Kids Pioneer Primary School in Bugiri-Kisubi, Katabi Town Council in Entebbe, and organisers are targeting 1,000 participants for this year’s edition.
The 2025 edition attracted 832 participants and was held under the theme of improving the health and education of vulnerable children in communities.
This year, however, organisers have shifted their focus to Gender-Based Violence, highlighting what they describe as the widespread nature of violence against women and girls in Uganda.
“This year, 2026, we are taking on the biggest challenge yet—Gender-Based Violence. An estimated 95% of women in Uganda have experienced some form of Gender-Based Violence,” said Benjamin Kizito.
“It is not a distant statistic. It is your neighbour, your colleague, your family. It is happening in homes across Uganda right now. We run because they need us too, in partnership with Umoja Women’s Group.”
Esbern Budolfsen,Race Director of Kids of Africa run, also stressed the urgency of addressing GBV and called on the public to support the cause.
“At least 95% of women in Uganda have experienced some form of Gender-Based Violence. It is not a distant statistic; it is your neighbour, your colleague, your family. It is happening in homes across Uganda right now,” Budolfsen said.
The organisers expect the number of runners to rise from last year’s 832 to approximately 1,000 participants, with proceeds going towards initiatives aimed at supporting the girl child and vulnerable members of the community.
Several organisations and institutions have joined the 2026 campaign as sponsors and partners. They include Sheraton Hotel, MEMPROW Girls Network, Kisubi Hospital, Sai Pali Institute, Umoja Women’s Group and Yako Bank.
Yako Bank has contributed Shs7 million towards the cause, adding financial backing to the campaign against GBV.
Individual tickets for the run are going for Shs30,000.
The starting point will be Kids Pioneer Primary School, Bugiri-Kisubi, in Katabi Town Council. Participants travelling from Kampala will use Entebbe Road towards Kawuku, covering approximately 25 kilometres before turning left at the Kawuku-Bwerenga Road boda boda stage and continuing along Murray Road to the school.
With the event combining fitness, community participation and advocacy, organisers hope the 14th Kids of Africa Run will not only attract more runners but also raise greater awareness about Gender-Based Violence and the need to protect women and girls.